Apparatus for controlling torpedo firing



J. H. HAMMOND, JR. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TORPEO FlRlN-G.

APPLICAYION FILED OCT- 5. 1915.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

FSHEETS-SHEET l.

Illl Illllllllllllllllllllllll '/,lll Illlllllllllll Il InvenozvJoowlfagsLlh/mmo J. H. HAMMOND, JR. APPARATUS FOR-caNTRoLUNG ToRPEDoFIRING.

Patented Oct. 1922.

IsHEETs-"SHEET 2.

74 7el es 69 l67 73 7e 70 6o J. H. HAMMOND, IR.

APPARTUS FUR CONTROLLING TORPEDO FIRING. APPLICATION FILED ocrI 5. I9I5.

I maven/Eo a Jo ha@ fing@ lazazmo nd, J?? @5.3, .MI/

1. H. HAMMOND, 1R. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TORPEDO FIRING.`

APPLICAUON F'lLED ocT 5. 1915 f y 1,431,142. Patented Oct. 3, 1922.4

YSHEETSv-SHEET 4.

-lll|llllIllllllllllllllllmllllIlllllllllIlllllllllIllllllllllllll I. H.HAMMOND, Jn. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TORPEDO FIRING.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 5. I9I5.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

iff/(35%@ J. H. HAMMOND, JR. APPARATUS FOR QONTROLLING TORPEDO FIRING.

APPLICATON FILED OCT, 5.1915. 1,431,142.

SHEETS-SHEE' 6.

T E l Ti' A ZW/vz(anfibi/Lam.' Jk/nHa'ysHb/mmowd, J7:

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.'

IJ. H. HAMMOND, JR. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TORPEDO HIRING.

' Patented 0011:. 3, 1922.

ISHEETS-SHEE'I wie? f 05 Imve John/H Patented Oct. 3,V 1922.'

UNITED STATES ortica. l

roHN imYs rimani), Jn., or GLOUCESTER, mAssAcnUsET'rs.

APPARATUS FOB. CONTBOLLING TORREDO FIRNG.

Application filed ctober 5, 1915. Serial No. 54,264.

of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement .inApparatus for Controlling Torpedo Firing, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like characters on the drawings representipg like parts.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling torpedo firing andin certain as'- pectsthereof is an Aimprovement upon the `constructionshown in my co-pending application Serial No. 43,879. In order that theprinciple of the invention may be readily understood, I havedisclosedcertain embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig.1 is a view largely diagrammatic and partially in side elevation andpartially in vertical section of one form of means for practicing myinvention;

Fig. 2"'is a viewpartially in plan of the structure shown in Fig. A1 andpartially diagrammatic with respect to electrical connections notrepresented in Fig 1;

tially diagrammatic Yofstillanother form` Fig. 3 is aside elevation ofanother form of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus A'shown Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partially plan and parof my invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of theu structure shown in Fig. 5; Y Y

Fig. 7 is a, view partially in plan and fpartially diagrammatic of stillanother orm of my invention; A, Y

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7;

Fig; 9 is a view partially in vertical-section` and partiallydiagrammatic of another 'form of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a plan .view of the disk and cooperating pawl shown in Fig.9;

Fig.- 11 is a similar view of the gear ring and co-actingpartsshown inFig. 9;

Fig. 12 a view partially in vertical section and partially diagrammaticofstill another orm of my invention;

-Fig. 13 is a view in plan representing certain of the iuidconnectionsemployed with this; type of my invention shown in Fig. 12; an

i Fig. 14 isaview partially in vertical -section and partiallydiagrammatic of still another forin of my invention.

Fig .15 is a plan showing step-by-step transmitting and repeatingdevices for producing a movement of the torpedo carrier `or otherdirecting means or direction-maintainlng means therefor, correspondingto the orientation of the periscope or other sightmgvinstrumentality 1g.16 is a front elevation of step Fig. 15 and a step-by- Fig. 17 is a sideelevation of the mechanism shownin Fig.'16.

Prior to my invention disclosed in the application above referred to,the tiring of torpedoes from fixed tubes in moving vessels has been amatter of very considerable diiliculty, particularly in submarine'work.A Such tubes being usually an integral part of the hull ofarsubmarine or other vessel, it has been necessary in such cases totrainthe longitudinal axis of the submarine in the direction of the target.In order to use the bow tubes, the submarine is forced to advancehead-on to the target and 4thus is frequently placed in adisadvantageoustactical position. Moreover, heretofore -only cer-l taintubes could be fired at a time, and this necessitated the carrying outof certain maneuvers by the submarine.

In said prior application, I have disclosed means whereby through acentralized control and preferably through the sighting instrumentalitythe direction-maintaimng means of the torpedo or torpedoes may be actedupon or'modiied as to cause the discharged torpedo or torpedoes totravel toward and t0 strike the target upon which the sightinginstrumentality is trained;

In this application I have vdisclosed certain forms of means wherebythrough a centralized control and preferably through the orientation ofthe sighting instrumentality the torpedo tube or carrier issynchronously moved thereby to train said tube or carrier upon the.target or in such manner with remechanism shown diagrammatically invao.A

spect thereto (if the target-be a moving one) that the torpedo whendischarged will strike the target.

' In'accordance with my invention I may employ one torpedo tube or aplurality n thereof and in the event of employing a plurality. of suchtubes they maybe posil tioned as a unitpor upon dierent'parts ofeffecting the ship, as, for example', at the bow, at the stern, andamidship. In the event of employing a plurality of torpedo tubes, I mayand referably do employ means for divergence or convergence of the pathsof travel of the torpedoes discharged from said tubes. In the vevent ofemploying a plurality of tubes located upon dif-A ferent portions of theship or other basal support, I preferably provlde means where' by thetubes themselves may be so moved through the sighting instrumentality ofoentralized control' as to obtain convergence or divergence of thevpaths of travel of the torpedo. In the event of employing a pluralityof torpedo tubes as a unit, I preferably provide means whereby throughthe orientation of the sighting instrumentality of centralized controlthe direction-maintaining means of the several torpedoes are themselvesso modified or acted upon as to obtain convergence or divergence of thepaths of travel of. 'said torpedoes. Both these principles of operationare within the trol may be manipulated.

shown in igls. mersible vee In the ensuing description I shall refer toa vessel as carrying aA torpedo or tor pedoes. It is, however, to beunderstoodthat .within the scope and purpose of my invention I mayemploy any suitable basal support for the torpedo or torpedoes, and thattherefore such termsA of descriptionare not limiting desf ations. Y i

Referring rst to the form of my invention show n in Figs. 1 and 2, Ihave therein indicated at 1 a peri'scope constituting one form ofsighting instrumentality; In the disclosed embodiment of the invention,v the apparatus is therefore mounted upon a submarine but itis in nowiselimited to such application,'and I desireit to be understood that IV mareadily employ the apparatus 1 and 2 upon a non-sub-` n in which case Iwould pref- .erably substitute a telescope for vthe peri- 'scopeLYsuitable relation to-the Vdeck of the vessel indicated at 9.

Upon the deck of the veel is mounted a torpedo tube 10, it being hereinshown as provided with a rotatable support 1.1 between Which and the:deck 9 .are rovided ballor-roller bearings 12 to facilitate the turningmovement of the tube 10.

Formed upon or secured to the inner surface of the support 11^is aniinternal gear 13 meshing with which is a pinion 14 upon the-shaft 15 ofa motor 16 which ma be of -any suitable type, but which is pre erably ashunt electrical motor.

16 having a pinion 17 meshing with an an.- nular gear formed upon or'carried byv an azimuth ring 18, which may be of the character disclosedin my oo-pending applica- The repeater 8 -is provided with ashaft tionsSerial Nos. 43,879,5@71'8 and` 50,719; Said azimuth ring 18 isAtherefore syn` chronized in movement'with the orientation of theperiscope or other sighting instrumentality 1.

The said azimuth ringis mounted upon` the deck and preferably inbrackets1-9, 20

positioned above .and below the same and in connection with which mayprovidedsuitable ball bearings.

Depending from an interior 'portion of the `support 11 or from thetorpedo tubel l() is a contact arm 21 whichY may be similar to any ofthose shown in my said co-pending applications. Y While the motor 16`may be of any suitable construction, it is preferably one in which theamature and field windings thereof are separate, so that the directionof rotation may easily be changed.

lSaid motor 16 is connected by suitable wiringto the contact arm 21 andthe azimuth ring 18and the purpose thereof is to cause the said contactarm to follow the azimuth ring in the orientation of the latter insynchronism with thatof the 1. In-

asmuch as the contact arm is carried by the torpedov tube 10 orrotatable 'support therefor, it results that the orientation of theperiscope or other instrumentahty cause a synchronizing. movement'ofAthe torpedo tube 10.

set forth .in`my` (ao-pending applicai.

tion -Serial No. 50,718, when the azimuth.

Iringl8l'moves out of alignment'with the .contact 'arm"21, the said armmakes contact with segment' 22 or: 23, as the case may be, on theazimuth ring 18, thereby' to energize a suitable circuit, which causesthe motor 16 so to operate that the contact larm 21 is caused to moveinto ali ent with the azimuth ring 18. If the said azimuth ring 18 movesin the other direction, the rotation of the motor 16 is reversed.

While this result may be secured by any suitable electrical connection,I have in F 2 diagrammatically indicated one form of electricalconnection for this purpose. Therein I have diagrammatically indicatedthe motor at 16 and the field winding'therefor at 24. At 25 and 26, Ihave diagrammatically indicated two direct current ,sup--A plies andhave -represented conductors 27 and 28 leading to and from the saidfield 24. LeadingA from the pivot of the contact arm 2.1 is a.-conductor 29 extending to a battery 30, from vwhich leads a conductor 31electrically connected to' solenoids 32, 33, between which is mounted aswitch 34 pivoted at 35, and having an insulating por-A tion 36 betweenits contact ends. Leading from the segment 22 of the azimuth ring 18 isa conductor 37 extending to the solenoid 33 and leading from vthesegment 23 of the azimuth ring is a conductor 38 leading to the solenoid32. Leading from the motor 16 is a conductor 39 extending to a point inproximityto the switch 34'where it is provided withI a contactv terminal40. The conductor 26 of the direct currentsupply extends to apoint inproximity` to the switch 34 where it is provided with a contact. termnal41, and is vprovided with a branch 42 leading'to a point adjacent theopposite side of the switch 34 where it is provided with a contactterminal 43. Extending from the motor 16 is a conductor 44 extending toa oint in proximity 34 wherelt is provided with a contact termiualV 45.'Ihe said conductor 44 is also branched to provide a conductor 46terminating in a conductor 47 in proximity t0. the upper end of theswitch 34. The conductor 39 extending from the motor 16 isA alsobranched to .provide a conductor 48 terminating in a contact 49 inproximity to the upper end of the switch 34. The conductor 25 of thedirect current supply extends to a pointv in proximity to the upper endof the switch 34 Where it terminates in a contact 50, said conductor 25being branched to the switchthe motor 16 in one direction, the circuitbeing at the same time also closed' through the terminals 49, 50.ThereuponA the contact arm is caused to follow the azimuth ring. If,however, the .azimuth ring be turned in the opposite direction, thecontact arm 21 makes contact with thesegment 23 thereof, and through theconductor 38 the solenoid 32 is energlzed, thereby swinging the switch34 in the opposite direction, thereby closing the circuit through theterminals 40, 41 and 47 52, thereby reversing the direction of thecurrent in the armature winding of the motor 16, which causes thecontact arm 21 to move in the other direction.

The switch 34 is provided with springs 52 which cause it to assume acentral position when the contact arm 21 is on the insulation betweenthe segments 22 and 23.

In Figs 3 and 4, I have shown another form of my invention which may beemployed upon any suitable support and which if employed upon a vesselmay be applied to either a submersible or a non-submersible. I have,however, represented it as applied to a submarine. v

In Fig. 3, the (periscope is indicated at 53, it being mounte forrotation upon its vertical axis in the conning tower, a portion of whichis indicated at 54. The said periscope or other sighting instrumentalityhas fast upon its tubular portion a gear 55 with which meshes a pinion56 upon a shaft 57 of a transmitter 58 which is electrically connectedby a conductor diagrammatically indicated at 59 with a repeater 60.

The vessel is provided in some suitable' upright portion of itsstructure with a caslng or support 61 having suitably mounted thereinfor swlnging movement an annular member 62, the surface of which isSpherical, receiving therein the outer end of a torpedo tube 63, theconstruction being such that both the torpedo tube 63 and the annularmember 62 may be swung about a vertical axis in the casing or support61. Water may be prevented from entering the torpedo tube 63 while thesame is being loaded by any suitable means not herein shown, which maybe similar in construction to that used at present on torpedo tubes. Atits inner-end, the said torpedo tube is provided with a foot or support64 preferably provided with roller or ball bearings 65 adapted to rideupon a segmental track 66 upon the deck G7., The support 64 carries amotor 68 which maybe similar in construction and mode of operation tothe motor 16, Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft 69 of said motor is' pro- -vided`with a pinion 70 meshing with a segmental rack 71 upon Vthe inner faceof the track 66, whereby upon rotation of said motor 68 the torpedo tubemay be swungA a clutch 72 which ma be disengaged automatically or byhandy so as to permit the torpedo tube 63 to swing freely after thegyroscope of the torpedo has been qbrought Iup to speed and is free inspace, and while the torpedo is leaving the tube.

The repeater 60 is provided with a shaft 73 having a pinion 74 meshingwith a gear upon the azimuth ring 75 which may be and preferably issimilar to the corresponding part shown in Fi s1 and 2, and which isherein supported for turning movement between brackets 76, 77 ballbearings being provided to facilitate the turning movement thereof. i

'The construction of parts is such that upon orientation of theperiscope '53 the azimuth ring 75 rotates in synchronism therewith in amanner not herein necessary more fully to set forth. Depending from thetorpedo tube 63 or the support 62 is a contact arm 78 which functionswith the azimut-bring in the manner fully set forth in connection withFigs. 1 and 2, so as to drive the electric motor 68 in one direction orthe other, thereby to swing the torpedo tube 63 in synchronism with theorientation of the perisco e or other sighting instrumentality 53. havenot herein represented the electrical connections between the contactarm 78, the azimuth ring 75 and electric motor 68, but they may besimilar to those shown in Fig. 2 or any otherv suitable connections maybe provided for the purpose.

In connection with the several types or forms of my invention shown inthis application, I may employ any one of the various systems orlapparatus shown in my co -pend ing 'application Serial Nos. 50,718 and50,719. ParticularlyI" may in connection with the several' forms of myinvention herein shown employ means to Vindicate the range of thehostile vessel or other target. I may also employ means to correctV forthe various factors involved in torpedo firin and includin the s eed ofthe torpedo and the course an spe of the enemys ship.

Referring .more particularly -to my copending application Serial No.'50,719 and 'to the structure shown in Fig. 1 thereof, I may utilize saidstructure as it is therein shown by connecting vthe conductors 9, 410and 30 to the repeater, suchas thefrepeater i 8 of Fi 1, herein 'aplurality of such re-' peates ing employed for ai plurality o f torpedotubes. `In such case the conductors 9,10 and 30 would'be connectedv to'said plurality of repeaters 8 instead bf tothe4 repeaters of the tor oesas inLsaid' application SerialNol), 1 9.1 the, I ma em o apparatus'ortem, shgwn. in l'pigi'of said applifca'tilisn- Serial No.`-50,719eonnec'tingjtheconductorsf86,'87 and "to amries of re' ers 8 functioningas shown in Fig. 1V o this ing application Serial No. 50,719, I mayemploy means similar or analogous to what is therein shown, butconnected to a plurality of torpedo tubes of a single unit but movableindependently of each other, instead of connecting such means to the-scopes of the torpedoes. To this end, I

have in Fig. 5 represented another form of my invention, wherein I haverepresented three torpedo tubes 79, 80, 81, which are mounted as a unitupon a base or platform 82, the torpedo tube 80 being rigidly mountedthereon and the torpedo tubes 79 and 81 being so mounted thereon thatthey may be turned toward or from each other,

thereby to obtain convergence o'r divergence of the paths of travel ofthe torpedoes discharged therefrom. In said figure, I have represented aconductor or series of conductors 83 which may be the same as theconductor 7 of Fig. 1 leading te the repeater 8, or may be the same asthe conductor 59 of Figs. 3 and at leading to the repeater 60.. The saidconductor 83 leads fromv a suitable transmitter controiled by thesighting instrumentality or other centralized control to a repeater 84having a pinion 85 meshing with asuitable gear upon the periphery of theplatform 82, whereby the latte-r is turned in synchronism with the.orientation of the sighting apparatus, thereby to' turn the torpedo tube80 in the same direction as the sighting instrumentality or. inparallelism therewith.

In order to effectl convergence or divergence of the torpedo tubes 79and 81 and pivotal supports of said to oes 79, 8 1 with gears 86, 87with which mesh 88, 89 of repeaters 90, 91 operative y connected byelectricalconduetors 92, 93 with a transm1tter'94, the gear 95 whereofis snitablcontrolled b a dispersion dial 96, which may in function tothepersion dial `Shown in my said c@Pending ap lication Serial No. 50,719.

n this manner or inr any other way I- may eect convergence or. di enceof a plurality of torpedo tubes. It ls not essential'that the to o fnbeswhich are so turned as'tdefect 'vergenee or ennvergnfthemf pertain t0 1ainsi lasA j V1,491,1aa

as, if desired, they may be upon different parts of the ship or otherbasal support. n such latter case, however, I preferably modify theaction of the gyroscopes of V.such separated torpedoes instead of movingthe vtorpedo tubes and in such manner effect -plication Serial No.50,719, it -is evident that the system represented in Figs. 10 and 11 ofsaid application ma be applied to and used in connection wit my presentinvention, so as to synchronize the movement of torpedo tubes insynchronism withthat of a torpedotube with the orientation of 'thesighting instrumentality instead of in said application, synchronizingthe movement of some element of the torpedo itself. This may beaccomplished by using substantially the mechanism shown in said Figure10, but causing the conductor 215 to extend to a repeater operativelyconnected with atorpedo tube, as shown in any of the forms of myinvention represented in this application, instead of causing saidconductor 215 to extend to afrepeater connected to an element of atorpedo itself, such as for,

example the-torpedo A shown in said Fig.`vlvr .10.- Ina similar manner Imay use, the sysf tem shown in Fig. 10 inv connectionl with a luralityof torpedo tubes. y

y using the s stemshown in said Fig. 10, it will be evi ent that I maycorrect or` modify the orientation of the torpedoltub'e or torpedo tubesin view of the various factors involved, such for example as thetorpedos speed, the enemys course and the enemys speed. y

I may employ the system shown i'n Figs. 16 and 17 of my said applicationSerial No. 50,719 in. connection vwith the several forms of my presentinvention by connecting the conductors 303, 304 and 276 to repeatersthemselves connected to torpedo tubes instead of to elements of thetorpedo or torpedoes, thereby to effect orientatlon of the the sightinginstrumentality. Y

Simllarly, I may employ the system represented 1n Figs. 20and21 of mysaid copending application Serial No. 50,719 in connection with the-several forms of my in'- vention shown in the present applicatiombyextending the conductors 242, 243 `to repeaters operatively associatedwith torpedo tubes instead of to repeaters operatively associated withelements of the tor edo. Such form of my invention is preferab yemployed where two torpedo tubes are positioned near together, but arestructurally separate.

i InA Figs. 7 and .8,i Iv have shown 'still another form of myinvention. Therein I have shown a plurality of torpedo tubes,

herein three in number 97, 98. 99 rigidly mounted upon a rotatabledisk-like support 100. Said support is provided-upon its periphery witha gear 101 with which meshes a .pinion 102 of a repeater 103 which isconnected by electrical conductors diagrammatically vindicated at 104with the transmitter itself operatively related to the sightinginstrumentality, as-fullyillustrated and described with respect to Figs.1 to 4 inclusive. By the described construction the support 100 1srotated in synchroni'sm with the orientation of the sightinginstrumentality. In addition thereto I` provide means to modify orcontrol the action ofthe direc` tion-maintaining means of the torpedoesvto be fired from said tubes 97, 98, 99. Forl this purpose I preferablyprovide the torpedoes with gyroscopes the azimuth rings whereof arediagrammatlcally indicated at .105, 106, 107. I have represented adispersion dial at 108 in Fig. 7 and have indicated a transmitter 109 asin mesh therewith or otherwise suitably controlled thereby.' Leadingfrom said transmitter is an electrical conductor 110 having branches111, 112 extending to repeaters 113, 114, pinions 115, 116 whereof` arein mesh with suitable gears upon the azimuth rings 105, 107. In thismanner, I may by setting the dispersion dial 108 modi the action of thegyroscopes of thetorpe oes contained in the torpedo tubes .97,1.

99, so that when said torpedoes are dis- A charged they travel in pathsthat converge o tubes with the movement of the sighting instrumentality,and I also provide means to modify or control the direction-maintainingmeans of the torpedoes. 'While IA have represented this latter functlonas effected through a dispersion dial, it is evidentV that it may beeffected in any other suitable manner. It will furthermore be evidentthat the degree of convergence -or divergence is calculated as lsetforth in my said (so-pending application. l

In Figs. 9, 10 and .11 I have represented still another form of myinvention, and one which if desired may be used in connection with thedispersion ial of the character represented in Fig. 7, but which may beothery A wise employed. The form of my invention shown in Figs. 9, 10and 11 may be employed in place of any of the forms or with the o typesof my invention shown in my copending .application Serial No. 50,718.

Irl-said gures Ihave diagrammatieally indicated the gyroscope at 117, itbeing mountedin the torpedo and constituting d1- recton-maintainingmeans therefor. The said gyroscope held fixedlwith respect to thetorpedountil the .discharge of thelatter, and is then freed therefrom inany suitable manner not herein necessary to disclose, and

for example in any o f theV ways shown in.

my said co-pending applications. The outer gimbal ring of.sa1d gyroscopehas fast upon its spindle 118.a disk 119, which therefore is held' fixedin space after lthe torpedo is discharged. The hull of the vessel isindicated at`1'20, it being provided with aplurality of concentricpaages 121, 122, 123, the outermost 121 of which is in communication bya supply pipe 124 with `a source 125 of air under preure or othersuitable motive fluid. The passages 122, 123 are in communication bypipes 127, 126 respectively der V128 o the torpedo. Within saidcylinder' is positioned'a piston 129 connected by piston rod 130, to therudderl 131. The spindle 118 of the gimbal ring is supported forrotation in the hull 120 of the' vessel,

and -supported upon the hull of the'vessel tion. Y.

The. said gear ring 132 has mountedin the frame thereof a valve 138 insuch manner that it may rotate in said frame. The said valve 138,' isprovided with a awl-like arm 139 which as shown most clear y in Fig. 10is provided with la n otch or recess 140 and w1th opposite wings orprojections 141,

142. lThe said'gear ring 132 is provided with three passages 143,144,145, which are' in'communlcation respectively-with the concentricpassages 121, 122, 123'in the hull of the vessel, so thatcommunicationis established between the respective passages, whatever be the movementof rotation* of the gear rin 132. The passage 143 is in communicatlon atal1 with the supply pasao said valve 1383.5 provided with passages 146,"147 adapted to beplaced in communication respectively with the passages,

posite ends of the steering cy1in' he said gear ring 132 corresponds.

ownfi certain other forms of my inven- 143, 145, and the paages 143,144. Said vpaages 146, 147 may also be placed in with the sightinginstrumentality,`but in an' opposite dlrection and to an equal extent. I.desired,however, I 'may through a dispersion dlal or otherwise so`modify the movement of the gear ring 132 that its position may be inconformity with any desired de ee of dispersion. Y

he disk 119 is held fixed inspace bythe gyroscope upon discharge of thetorpedo. f the torpedo tendsto" move off its course established by thegyroscope, the disk 119 which isv provided with a tooth 150, moves thepawl 139 to the right orto the left as the case may be, thus turning thevalve 138 and admittlng motive. fluid from the passages'124, 143 toeither the passage'144 or 145, and thence through the passages 127 or126 to the steering cylinder 128. Thereupon the rudder is turned tostarboard or to port and the pawl 139, being carried b the ring 132 andthe latter bein .tixedto t e hull of the torpedo after the reason of thefriction inthe re ater 136,

-is moved through the functioning Aof the disk 119, so as to bring thetorpedo back to its course. Y'

If the repeater 136 is connected to a sight' ing instrumentality, thegear 132 is moved ischarge thereof by' in an opposite direction and `-toan equal extent. This causes the gear 132 to be moved to one `side orthe other of theV tooth 150v which causes it to' turn the valve 138 sothat"` when the torpedo is started "and air is ad'- mitted from tank125, it' will so. operate the steering mechanism as to bring the torpedointo line-with the si hting instrumentality.

The construction s own in -said Figs. 9, 10 and 11 may be employed andpreferably is employed to|` control the path ofthe Vtorpedo uponV andafter its discharge from the tube, but such construction may be adaptedto control the movement of a torpedo carrier.

I have previously stated that'the-gear. ring 132shown in Figs. 9 and 11corresponds to lfunction to the azimuth rin shown in my co-pendingapplications Serial Nos. 50,718

and 50,719.` In that form. of the invention shown in F igs. 9, 10 and`11, said gear ring correspondingas stated to the `azimuth ring is movedin synchronism A with the sighting means but in an oppositedirection andto the same'extent. d vIn analogy to forms ofv my invention shown insaid ap lication Serial No. 50,718, I may hold t e ring 132 station saiddis Afree rom the clutching it to the latter when .the torpedo isdischarged-vor I may hold the 'ge A ar ring 132 stationary and move boththe disk 119 and move the disk 119 by makin' and the gyroscope 117.Other combinations may obviously be made analogous to the various formsof my invention shown in i 6oY said co-pending application Serlal No.50,718.

In -F igs. 12 and 13, I have represented a form of my invention whereinthe gear ring and the disk are free from the gyroscope but clutchedthereto when the torpedo is dis-- charged. l i

In said figures I have represented the gyroscope at 151, it bein heldfixed with respect to the torpedo until the dischar e of the latter,whereupon it is freed there rom in any suitable manner, as, for example,in any of the .ways set forth in m said copending application. The, spinle 152 of the outer gimbal ring is mounted in the hull of the torpedoindicated at 153 and has fast thereon a solenoid 154Aadapted to beenerlgized upon .the discharge of the torpedo rom its carrier in amanner not herein necessary fully to disclose. For this purpose 1t 1s 1ncircuit with conductors 155, 156 and a battery 157, an automaticallycontrolled switch 158 being provided which is moved to close the circuitupon the discharge of the torpedo. Loosely mountedfor rotation upon thespindle 152 of the gyroscope is a disk'159 corresponding in generalfunction to the disk shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, and

fast'to said disk is a gear ring 160 meshing` Awith which 1s a pinion161 upon the shaft 162 of a repeater 163. The said repeater iselectrically connected as set forth in other forms of my invention witha transmitter Voperatively associated with the sighting means, wherebythe said gear 160 may be synchronized in movement with the orientationof the sighting means. The adjacent faces of the solenoid 154 and thedisk 159 are provided with clutching formations, wherebyV uponenergizationrof the solenoid 152 the disk 159 and its gear 160 become4xed with respect to the gyroscope, the whole being lifted so that thegear 160'is disengaged from the pinion 161, thus leavin the gyroscopefree in space.

o-acting with the disk 159 is a pawl 164- corresponding 'in function toand preferably of the same construction as the corresponding pawl shownin Figs. 9, 10and 11. The said paWl 164 is carried by a valve 165 whichis similar in function to that shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 1-1, but 'whichis here represented as mounted upon a portion 166 of the framing of thetorpedo. The saidvalve is provided with passages 167, 168, by which lthesource of rfluid under pressure 169 may be placed in communication withthe pipes 170, 171, and hence with the steering cylinder 172, so as toturn the rudder 173 in the proper direction.

Inasmuch as I have fully set forth infcnthereof shown in Figs. 12 and13.

.In Fig. 14, I have shown a still further modification of that type ofmy invention represented in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. Therein I have shown aconstruction wherein the gear ring or part corresponding with theazimuth rin may be held fixed or in which the disk an the roscope mayboth be moved with respect t ereto. In said figure, IA have representedtheV roscope at 174, the outer gimbal ring thereo being provided with aspindle 175 mounted in the frame 176 of the torpedo and having fastthereon a disk 177 correspondin to the disk 159 shown in Fig. 12. Withsaid disk cooperates a, pawl 178 similar in function and mode ofoperation to the pawl 164 and carried by' a suitable valvediarammatically indicated at 179. In this orm of. m invention, thegyroscope 174 and the disk 17 7 fast therewith are oriented by thesighting means in a manner analogous to certain forms of my inventionshown in my co-pending application Serial No. 50,718. and are freed inspace when the torpedo is discharged.

In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 there is shown a. form of step-by-steptransmitting and repeatin mechanism for automatically causing a justmentof the torpedo carrier or other directing means or direction-maintainingmeans therefor in accord withtlie orientation of the periscope or otherinstrumentality. This mechanism comprises in this embodiment of theinvention a contact arm -180 (Fig. 15)` adapted to move with theperiscope or other sighting instrumentality and engage either a contactsegment 181- or a contact segment 182 separated by insulation pieces 183and mounted on a face-of an azisaid arm 180.

A. gear 186 is also mounted on the cirmeshes with a pinion 187 fast on acounterfcumference of the azimuth ring 184 and shaft 188 and with apinion 189 fast on a counter-shaft 190.

A ratchet-Wheel 191 may be mounted fast on the counter-shaft 188 andbeadvanced step-by-.step by a pawl 192. A ratchet-wheel 193 may be mountedon the counter-shaft 190 and be advanced step-by-step by a pawl 194.

The pawl 192 may be connected to a stepby-step mechanism forreciprocating the sameI and causing the azimuth ring 184 to turn in aclockwise direction. The pawl 194 may be connected to a similarstep-bystep mechanism for reciprocating. the same and causin saidazimuth ring to turn in a contra-Cloe ise direction.

Any suitable part or mechanism, such for example as torpedodirection-maintaining means, or a torpedo carrier, ma, be connected-to agear 195 fast on a sha 196 and with a pinion 197 fast on a countershaft198 and with a pinion 199 fast on a counter-shaft 200.

. A ratchet-wheel 201 is mounted fast-on 4the shaft 198' and is adaptedto be advanced step-by-step by` a pawl 202. A ratchetwheel 203 ismounted fast on the countershaft 200 and is adapted to be advancedstepby-step by a pawl 204. A step-by-step mechanism may be provided forreciprocating the pawl 202 to lturn the torpedo carrier 1n av clockwisedirection, and a step-by-step mechanism may be provided forreciprocating the pawl 204 to turn the torpedo carrier 1n a taileddescription of one will suffice forall.,

Y be provided for each of the ratchet-whee contra-clockwise direction.

" The mechanisms for reciprocating all of said pawls are similar andtherefore a de- An illustrative mechanism is shown in Figs. 16 and 17compris' magnets 205' mounted upon a yoke 206.- armature 207 is securedto a rock shaft 208, and is. normally drawn against a fixed adjustablestop pin 209 by a spring 210, so that its axis is oblique to the Afieldof the magnet. The magnet pole pieces 211 are cut away as shown in Fig.16

to allow the armature t0 swing in line with the iield of the magnet whenenergized.

A mechanism such as described above ma actuating pawls, and each pawl isconnected to its motor by an arm 212 fast on the armature shaft 208. Y Y

When the magnets of the mechanism are energized on the completing of acircuit the when said circuit is o therefor the amature 207 'will swingin maa-ciockwi direction (Fig. 1c)l and pen, said' amature is swung backby the spring 210. Therefore, each time the armature rocks, it willactuate wl connected thereto and advance. its

wheel a step.

now to Fig. 15, Tc designates the transmltter for imparting dep-by-stepclockwise rotation to the azi mirth ring 1 84, and Tcc designates .thetransmitter mechanism for imparting contrafclockwise rotation to saidring. Re

'd a mechanism controlled bythe transmitter ln Tc,' for impartingclockwise movement to the shaft 196, and Rec designates a mechanismcontrolled by the transmitter lmechanism Tcc forimpartinglconta'a-clockwise-rotation tothe shaft 196.-

vEach of the mechanisms reviously referred to mav be provided with adisc 213 (Figs. 16 and 17) pivoted on a shaft `at one sideof thearmature shaft and having a bridge contact 214 on a face thereof adaptedto connect Awith and disconnect from iiilredA contacts to be deribed.similar 'disc 'a3 with one of the coils of the t 215 is mounted on aVshaft on the opposite side of the armature shaft and has a bridgecontact 216 on a face thereof adapted to connect and disconnect fromfixed contacts to be described. The disc 213 may be rocked by a pin-217projectin from the pawl actuating arm 212 referre to, into a radial slot218 in said disc. The disc 215 may be rocked by a pin 219 projectin`from said pawl actuating arm into a ra al slot 220 in said disc.

Next will be described the electrical circuits and connectionscooperating with the bridge contacts for the mechanisms forautomatically transmitting ments from the transmitting mechanisms to therepeating mechanisms.

R (Fig. 15) designates a conductor which may be connected with anysuitable source of electricity. This conductor is connected by aconductor a which is connected in turn to branch wires one of which a isconnected to a fixed contact 221 adapted to be connected to a fixedcontact 222 by a bridge contact 223 on an armature 224 cooperating 90.

Vwith a relay magnet 225 adapted to be ener- 'ized as more` fullyhereinafter described.l

he fixed -co'ntact 222 is connected'bya conductor c2 with the switch arm180 referred to as movable with the periscope. The contact segment 181is connected by a conductor nsmitter motor To, said coil bein connectedby a` conductor .with the ot er coil for saidi mechanism. The lattercoil is connected by 10 0 fixed contact 231 at said mechanism. Thisfixed contact is connected by a conductor a7 with a fixed contact 232 atthe repeater mechanism Rca, said fixed' contactl being adapted to beconnected by a brldgecontact 233 with a fixed contact 234 at saldmechanism. This fixed contact is connected by a conductor a with a mainnegative conductor N.

When the contact arm 180 referred to, 1s

turned to the-right (Fig. 15) it will con- 120 nect with the contactsegment 181 and through the connections described complete the circuitto the field coils of the transmitter. mechanism To, thereby energizingsaid mechanism and causing its armature to rock and through the pawl 192and ratchet wheel 191`described turn the azimuth ring Y 184 a step in aclockwise direction.

Next will be described a circuit controlled by the rocking of thearmature for the trans- 13 0 step-by-step move- 80 This con- 105 5 tothe conductor a referred to, leading from the main conductor P. Saidfixed contact 235 is adapted to be connected by a bridge contact 236with afixed contact 237 connected to a conductor b leading to. one ofthe ield coils" of the repeater mechanism Rc, said coil being connectedby a conductor b to the other field coil of said mechanism', the

t latter coil being connected b y a conductor b2 with the main negativeline When the field coils of the transmitter mechanism To are energizedas described, its armature will rock and shift the bridge conf tact 236and cause the same to connect the iixed contacts 235 and 237, therebycompleting the circuit to the field coils of the repeater mechanism Re.This will cause the armature of said mechanism to rock and through thepawl 202 and ratchet wheel 201 described, turn the shaft 196 a step in aclockwise direction. Thus a rotative step of the azimuth ring 184produced by the transmitter mechanism Tc is accompanied by a rotativestep of the shaft 196 produced by the repeater mechanism Rc.

-To make certain the armature of the transmitter mechanism T0 is held inposition to complete the circuit to the repeater mechanism Re until thearmature of the latter has been rocked to complete the step movefor thetransmitter mechanism Tc is provided comprising a conductor o tappedfrom the positive wire a referred to, and connected to a fixed contact.238 at the trans# mitter mechanism Tc, said fixed contact being adaptedto be connected by a bridge contact 239 with a fixed contact 240 at saidmechanism. Thisfixed contact is connected by a conductor c with one ofthe coils of said transmitter mechanism T0. When the coils of saidmechanism are enerized the bridge contact' 239 connects the ed contacts238 and 240 and completes the circuit to the coils of said transmittermechanism To independently of the connections through the relay switchand the contact arm 180 which is moved in unison with the periscope.`Thus the holding circuit insures the completing of a step movement ofthe transmitter mechanism once initiated, and the imparting of the stepmovement from said mechanism to the repeater mechanism Re independentlyof any subsequent movementof the contact arm 180 and relay switch 223.

As the armature ofthe repeater mechanism Rc approaches the limit of itsrocking movement its bridge contact 230 disconnects from the fixedcontacts 229 and 231fthereby breaking the circuit to the ment of saidmechanism, a holding circuit,

field coils of the transmitter mechanism To and deenergizing the same..The armature is now drawn sharply back by its spring and shifts thebridge contact 236, breaking the circuit at the transmitter mechanism Tcto the iieldcoils of the repeatermechanism Rc and shifting the bridgecontact 239 at the transmitter mechanism Tc to break the holdingcircuitfor said mechanism.

If the contactarm 180 is still in engagement with the contact segment181, the

transmitter mechanism To will make another step which will be repeatedat the repeater mechanism Re in a manner similar to that just described.Thus the transmitter mechanism and `repeater mechanism will continue-toadvance step-by-step until the azimuth ring has rotated around so thatan insulation plece 183 on said ring is in registration with the arm180. 'This will automatically arrest the step movements of saidmechanism.

To prevent the contact arm 180 from being eective to initiate a stepprior to the completion of astep, there is provided a. circuitconnecting the relay referred to with the repeater mechanism Rc. Thiscircuit comprises a conductor dconnecting the contact 221 at the relaywith the magnet coilV -225 of said relay, said coil being connected by aconductor d with a fixed contact 241 `at the repeater mechanism Re, saidfixed contact being adapted to be connected by a bridge contact 242 witha fixed contact `243.- This fixed. contact is connected bya conductor d2'with the wire b2 leadin to the main negative line N. When the eld coilsof the repeater mechanism Re are energized, the armature of saidmechanism on approaching the completion of its rocking movement willcause the bridge contact 242 to connect the xed contacts 241 and 243 andcomplete the circuit described to the relay magnet, thereby energizingthe latter and causing the same to attract its armature 224 and shiftthe bridge contact- 223 to cut off the contact arm 180 from the mainpositive line. As a result, said arm if moved into engagement with thecontact segment 181 or 182 would be in'eective to initiate a step untilthe previous step had been completed and the bridge contact 242 at therepeater mechanism Rchad been shifted to open the circuit to saidrelay'. A spring 244 connected to said relay `armature 224 then becomeseffective to shift said i bridge contact 223 back into engagement.Y withthe fixed contacts 221 and 222 and.A

transmitter mechanism Tc, are connecteds by bridge contacts 227 and 233respectively will connect with the contact segment 182 esv and willcause the4 contra-clockwise trans mitter mechanism Toc to impartcontraclockwise step movements to the contraclockwise repeater mechanismRca by circuits and electrical connections similar to those describedfor the clockwise mechanism.

ByV the above described apparatus the movements may be imparted to theshaft 196 to cause the same to faithfully follow and simulate theorientation of the periscope or other sighting instrumentality.

The electrical connections permit the torpedo carrier to be located atany point desired and obviously any number of carriers may becontrolled.

'While I have described in detail one form of transmitting mechanism,and one form of repeating mechanism which may beV employed in thepractice of my invention, I am in no wise limited thereto. I may use anysuitable forms or types of transmitting and repeating mechanisms. Forexample, I may employ the forms thereof disclosed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 50 718.

l-laving thus described 'one illustrative embodiment of my invention, Idesire it to be understood that, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for purposesof limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in thefollowing claims:

laims: 1. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprisingsighting means, a torpedo carrier mounted independently thereof, and'operative connections between said sighting means and said torpedocarrier and including an azimuth .4f-ring, whereby the movements of thelatter are control ed by said si hting means. .2. An apparatus gircontrollingtorpedo ring comprising sightn means, a torpedo carrier, andsynchronizing connections therebetween .including an azimuth ring.

3. An .apparatus for controlling. torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, and synchronizing connections therebetweenvincluding anazimuth ring and a contact arm.

4. apparatus forpcontrolling torpedo clockfiring comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, and synchronizing connections therebetweenincluding v-an azimuth ring, a contact arm, and a motor controlledthereby.

5. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, mea-ns to synchronize the movements of saidsighting means and said torpedo carrier, a torpedo havingdirectionmaintaining means, and dial controlled means to adjust saiddirection-maintaining means.

6. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a plurality of torpedo carriers, means toA syn chronize themovements of said sighting means and a torpedo carrier, and means toeffect convergence or divergence of the `paths of travel of torpedoesdischarged from a plurality `of said torpedo carriers.

7.-An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier support having three torpedo carriers, means tosynchronize the movements of said sightin means and said support, andmeansl to e ect convergence or divergence of the paths of travel of thetorpedoes discharged from two of said carriers.

8. An apparatus for controllingtorpedo firing comprising sighting means,torpedodirection imposing means, and operative connections between saidmeans including step-by-step transmitting and repeating mechanism.

9. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprisingsighting'means, torpedodirection imposing means, and means forautomatically imposing movements upon the latter synchroniziner withthose of the former, including stepiy-step transmitting and carrier,andmeans for automatically imposin'g movements upon the carriersynchronizing with those of the sighting means, includingstep-by-steptransmitting and repeating means.

13. ,An apparatus for Acontrolling torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a, torpedo iio carrier, and means for automatically imposingmovements upon the carrier -synchronizing with those of the sightingmeans, including a step-by-step transmitting mechanism, a step-by-steprepeating mechanism 'and electricalconnections between said mechanisms.

14. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, dlrection-maintaining means and meanscontrolled by .the sighting means and acting through saiddirection-maintaining means to move said torpedo carrier.

15. Ain-apparatus for controlling torpedo ring, comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, direction-maintaining means, and meanscoacting with said sighting .means and controlled thereby to move saidtorpedo carrier.

16. An apparatus for controllingtorpedo firing, comprising sightingmeans, ay torpedo carrier, an azimuth ring, and means cooperatingtherewith and controlled by the sighting means to move said torpedocarrier. 17. An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing, comprisingsighting means, a torpedo carrier, and synchronizing connections betweensaid sightin means and said torpedo carrier and inclu ing a transmitter,a repeater and an azimuth ring.

18.v An apparatus for controlling torpedo firing, comprising sightingmeans, a torpedo carrier, and synchronizing connections between saidsightin means and said torpedo carrier, and inclu mg a1. azimuth ringand a motor controlledin actionby said sighting means.

19. An apparatus for controlling torpedo' firing comprising sightingmeans, a movable torpedo carrier mounted independently` of torpedocari-1ers, means to synchronize the movements of said carriers and saidsighting'means, and cooperating means to vary the movement of saidcarriers from that which would otherwise be imposed by the synchronizingmeans.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.

Witnesses:

EVERETT S. EMERY, Inmo W. TowNsEND.

